Louis Vuitton won’t release Virgil Abloh’s Michael Jackson-referencing collection

Abloh’s designs for the fall 2019 menswear collection drew from Jackson’s iconography.

March 15, 2019
Louis Vuitton won’t release Virgil Abloh’s Michael Jackson-referencing collection PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images

Louis Vuitton will pull select garments from its fall 2019 menswear collection before they hit shelves, Reuters reports. The collection, which debuted in Paris in January, featured references to Michael Jackson's iconography. The decision to pull the garments follows allegations of sexual abuse resurfaced by HBO's Leaving Neverland docuseries.

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Earlier this week, Virgil Abloh— who spearheaded the collection for LV— broke his silence on his designs with respect to the Jackson documentary. “I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights,” he told WWD.

“My intention for this show was to refer to Michael Jackson as a pop culture artist. It referred only to his public life that we all know and to his legacy that has influenced a whole generation of artists and designers.”

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Louis Vuitton won’t release Virgil Abloh’s Michael Jackson-referencing collection